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Sabres aim to deal Devils a critical loss in Buffalo

Mar 26, 2011 - 3:11 PM (Sports Network) - The Devils' playoff chances took a serious hit last night. The Sabres can just about put an end to those hopes Saturday.

Buffalo aims for a third straight victory and to put an end to New Jersey's magical second-half run this evening when the clubs battle at HSBC Arena.

After burying themselves with a 10-29-2 start that included a coaching change, the Devils have gone 24-6-3 since. However, losses in four of its last five games may lead to New Jersey still falling short of a playoff spot.

The Devils dropped a 1-0 shootout to the Penguins last night, and coupled with the Sabres 4-2 victory over the Panthers later on Friday, they fell 10 points back of eighth-place Buffalo with eight games to play.

Martin Brodeur made 26 saves in his 13th straight start for the Devils last night, but allowed James Neal's shootout tally in the third round. Patrik Elias was then stopped by the Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury to end the game.

"We got a point at least, but we needed two. It's not a great situation," Brodeur said.

Brodeur secured his sixth shutout of the season in the loss and extended his own NHL record with the 116th of his career.

The Devils, who could get forward Zach Parise back soon from a right knee injury, lost defenseman Colin White in the first period with a lower-body ailment.

New Jersey is 1-1-1 on a four-game road trip and dropped two in a row at home to Buffalo following a 1-0 overtime victory at HSBC Arena back on Oct. 13. The Devils have won four of their last five in western New York.

They'll hope to maintain that road success tonight after Drew Stafford notched two goals and an assist in the Sabres' victory over the Panthers. Jason Pominville also scored and had a helper, while Ryan Miller made 22 saves.

Buffalo is also playing well down the stretch, improving to 10-3-3 in its last 16 games. The Sabres are three points ahead of the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference standings and are also just two back of the seventh-place Rangers with a game in hand.

"Every game is going to be real tight," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said of the stretch run. "We're going to have to play real sound defensively."

Tyler Ennis collected a pair of assists last night to give him six goals and 12 points in his last 12 games, while Pominville is now just a goal shy of reaching 20 in a season for the fifth time in his career.

Buffalo is 17-16-4 at home this season.

Steve Montador (lower body), Jochen Hecht (upper body) and Patrick Kaleta (leg) all missed last night's game for the Sabres.